The marching formations were followed by a mechanised column headed by a T-34–85 war-era tank, escorted by all-terrain vehicles bearing the banners of ten fronts. New cutting-edge equipment was also on display on Red Square: Armata tanks, Kurganets infantry vehicles, Boomerang
armoured personnel carriers, and Koalitsia-SV howitzers. The Terminator tank fire
support vehicles, Uran robots, Katran and Korsar drones took part in the parade
for the first time. Overall, 150 samples of military equipment drove through
Red Square.

This holiday has always been and will always be the dearest, most sacred
day for each family, for all our huge country, a day of national pride and eternal unfailing memory.

Seventy-three years ago, the Great Patriotic War ended, Nazism was
crushed and its atrocities, outrages and barbarity were terminated, and plans
for world domination were defeated.

We must cherish the memory
of the courage of the warriors who gave their lives,
of all our soldiers and the brave fighters
of the Second Front, of the contribution made
by the anti-Hitler coalition countries,
of the brotherhood-in-arms of those who stood up against Nazism.

The defeat of the Nazis was a tremendous triumphant Victory. This
long-awaited word immediately circled the planet. All countries, all people
back then understood that the outcome of World War II was determined by the Soviet Union, that this great sacrificial feat was achieved by our soldiers and our people.

It gained Victory at the cost of the hardest, irreplaceable losses; it defended
the honour and independence of our homeland thanks to unparalleled courage on the frontlines and on the home front. However, attempts are made today to cross
out this deed of the people who saved Europe and the world from slavery, from
the horrors of the Holocaust, to distort the events of the war, to bury the true heroes in oblivion, to forge, rewrite and corrupt history itself.

We will never let this happen. We must cherish the memory of the courage of the warriors who gave their lives, of all our soldiers
and the brave fighters of the Second Front, of the contribution made by the anti-Hitler coalition countries, of the brotherhood-in-arms of those who stood
up against Nazism.

We will always take pride in the fact that the Soviet people stood its
ground and did not yield to the cruel enemy, while some countries preferred the disgrace of capitulation, hypocritical compromise or direct cooperation with the Nazis.

Our people fought to the death. No other country repelled such an invasion, evacuated under enemy fire millions of people and thousands of factories, which practically off the wheels started manufacturing equipment and munitions for the front.

The impossible was achieved. Nobody thought of themselves and everyone
worked heroically, including women and children. For the Motherland, for Victory. For those who were defending our country, their families in the thick
of the war.

May 9 unites generations through
a history of courage. Each family has its own heroes, who live
on in our hearts. They are with us in the ranks of the Immortal
Regiment.

The courage of our warriors is immeasurable. All of them, from a private
to a general, fought in the cold and the heat, in small and large battlefields.
Each military line was part of the Fatherland, and for that reason, every one of them was the most important.

Our troops won great victories in the decisive Battles of Moscow and Stalingrad, in the battles near Kursk and on the Dnieper, broke the siege of Leningrad and liberated European capitals. They took Berlin in the conclusive
assault.

Their background did not matter throughout that time: where they came
from, what their ethnicity or religion was, which region of the vast country
they lived in before the war, and whether they were drafted to join the army or volunteered for the front.

Everyone had one Motherland. Everyone fought as much as they could, until
the last round, until the last drop of blood.

May 9 unites generations through a history of courage. Each family has its
own heroes, who live on in our hearts. They are with us in the ranks of the Immortal Regiment.

We bow to the cherished memory of all those who did not come back from
the war, to the sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, grandfathers, husbands,
wives, sisters, fellow-soldiers, relatives and friends. We mourn the veterans
who passed away.

Let us observe a minute of silence.

(A minute of silence.)

Friends,

In June 1941, war entered every home,
separating loved ones, many of them – forever. It orphaned and bereaved
hundreds of thousands of children, destroying hopes and plans, incinerating towns
and villages.

Russia is open for dialogue on all
issues related to ensuring global security; it is ready
for a constructive equal partnership for the sake
of agreement, peace and progress on the planet.

War is always a challenge to life
itself and to all the best it offers.

We remember the tragedies of the two
world wars; the lessons of history do not let us ‘go blind.’ New threats bear
the same old ugly features: selfishness and intolerance, aggressive nationalism
and claims to exclusiveness.

We are aware of the seriousness of these threats. It is important for all countries, all humankind to realise that
peace is very fragile, and its stability is enhanced by our common commitment
to hear, trust and respect each other.

Russia is open for dialogue on all
issues related to ensuring global security; it is ready for a constructive
equal partnership for the sake of agreement, peace and progress on the planet.

Esteemed veterans,

Our gratitude to you knows no limits;
our hearts speak about it now. A military parade will be held in honour of your
services to the Fatherland.

Your lives, scorched by the war, are
an eternal example for all generations. We bow to your fierce loyalty to the Motherland.

We are honoured to be your heirs. We
understand the extent of this responsibility and we will never let you down.

Pride in your deed makes us
stronger. Now a new generation of victors is in the ranks, and they will march through
the country’s main square.

We will always follow your
testament, your traditions. We will continue to work hard, to achieve success
for the sake of Russia’s prosperity and power. The light of your victories,
your bravery and your words will encourage us along this road.

Happy holiday! Congratulations on the day of the Great Victory! Hooray!